Noland...
I've got some stick time and solo'd a 172 but that's about it (48 hrs total just over 26 PIC).
My comments were not to suggest musical chairs since my limited personal interactions are circa 1970's. My dad was Marine air (GIB) and had good friends flying for Pan Am. I didn't realize that the Captain was now in the right hand seat (at least on the A330)....but then given the piss poor realities of a SS it probably makes sense to have the SS orientated to the pilots dominant hand.
The focus is action and intent. With a situation crisis and the plane obviously out of control why would he not assume actual command of the aircraft? I completely understand if he felt that they only had a few moments that he would issue orders vs assuming command. However....
I'm unaware of him actually asking for information and dictating specific action...he didn't demand a nose down attitude...he said something to the effect of "don't go up". To me he was along for the ride...not in command.